Yugoslavia: Serbian Army Increases Presence Near Kosovo

November 28, 2000 00:00 GMT

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Yugoslavia: Serbian Army Increases Presence Near Kosovo

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Bujanovic, Yugoslavia; 28 November (RFE/RL) - There are signs Yugoslavia's army is increasing its presence in southern Serbia, despite an agreement between the army and ethnic Albanian militants to continue a ceasefire "indefinitely." A spokesman for NATO-led peacekeepers, Lieutenant Mark Whitty, said the alliance helped negotiate the ceasefire extension, but said that neither side was leaving their positions.

Our correspondent in Bujanovic today reported seeing hundreds of troops heading toward the contested buffer zone between Kosovo and the rest of Serbia.

Yugoslav army commander General Nebojsa Pavkovic said Kosovo Albanian militants have made more incursions into Serbia, but said the military will not intervene unless provoked.

The militants, who say they are protecting local ethnic Albanians in the Presevo Valley, have repeatedly clashed with Serbian police this year. Yugoslav authorities say the militants aim to separate the region from Serbia and join it with Kosovo.